Hey guys,
I am new to this site. I am in the market for a 996 c2. I am looking at a 2002 c2 with 84k miles, seller is asking $32000. I already sent the car for a PPI, and the only thing that came back was a clutch replacement sometime in the near future. My question is how reliable are these cars nearing the 100k miles mark. Should i expect a lot of repairs? Am i safe as far as RMS?

Thanks

 

There are many many many 996s out there with 100k or more on the odometer. Reliability of these cars is not nearly as much of an issue as the 996-haters club would have you think. Get the car inspected (PPI) by a knowledgeable mechanic, be prepared to replace parts - as you would on ANY car with that many mile son the clock, and drive the crap out of it. It's a Porsche for godssake. Built like a tank. As far as RMS issues - maybe yes, maybe no. That should be looked at in the PPI - but even if it does have the dreaded leak, it shouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker. Read the RMS threads.

 

I conquered! Many high miles 911 still running and racing on the track. It's not the miles so much but the owner of the car. If you have a reckless owner then a car with 20K miles will give you plenty of repair bills. On the other hand, a car that have been pampered both mechanical & body can last for a long time.

Just keep in mind that with any high mileages car you should expect to pay for future's repair bill and replacing parts sooner than later.

 

I'm pretty staggered with Porsche. Although its not a 996, my friends old 1974 911 has 300 k on the odor meter. Its his daily driver and he said it has only let him stranded twice on the road, and get this-- its his track car too...never skipped a beat. Porsche quality is amazing ! Just 2 weeks ago we were at the track ripping it apart when it clicked over 300k !

 

I would not worry about an RMS leak. If it hasn't leaked in 84K it probably won't. Even if it did fixing it when you need a clutch would be almost no extra cost to fix. The RMS problem is over rated anyway. When you pay 90K for a car no one want a leak on their garage floor. When you buy a used car who cares. Most of the leaks are small spots on the floor and not enough to cause excessive oil consumption. There is no evidence that a RMS leak has ever caused any other problem. But you are buying a car with a lot of miles. It is a car not unlike others cars and things will wear out. They will be expensive to fix! If you fix it yourself not so bad. Parts cost three times as much as a Ford. If you take it to the dealer they charge at least twice as much as a Toyota dealer. You might want to get comparative repair costs from various brands of cars for a Alternator for instance. You may or may not be ready for a used Porsche.

 

79' 911 Turbo sold with 230K miles on it(needed a motor at the time)
84' 944 sold with 230K miles on it(guy still drives it and tracks it!!! No major engine work ever!)
2000 Boxster S 75K miles(would still have it but got flooded!)
Current 996 98K miles and counting. Daily driver and beat to hell. Runs strong! REAL strong!(no real issues!!!)

 

Just my 2 cents guys. I bought a 2002 996 back in june with 87,000, now 90,000 miles. I came from corvettes. I was shocked at what I began to read on rentech about reliability issues. It seemed like no one made it to 100k. I did a car fax, a Texas car with original clutch & a lot of meat left on it. The car must have been babied. I took it to a local tuner in Freeport, NY. The car dynoed at 341 hp(flywheel) & I was informed that the 3.6 motor solved the RMS issue. I agree its not the miles as much as how the car is driven. My price was 30,000 in Long island city & the car is mint. I wouldnt worry, but given engine replacement costs an aftermarket warranty is probably worth the 2 grand or so. Good luck!